Police and community briefs for April 9, 2013

Published: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 8, 2013 at 5:37 p.m.

POLICE BEAT

Man reports being robbed

A Lake Tropicana man reported he was robbed of $70 as he grilled food with friends on Sunday near Dunnellon.

The man, 31, said he was in the backyard of his home in the 17700 block of Southwest 43rd Place when a large diesel pickup pulled up just after 7:30 p.m. The victim said a man he knows got out of the truck, hopped a fence and demanded money, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.

As the victim was counting out five dollars, the other man snatched $70 from his hand and slapped him twice on the head before he hopped back over the fence, got into the truck and left, reports state.

Investigators have the man's name and address and are searching for him.

The relationship between the two men was not clear.

Woman charged in meth case

A 28-year-old woman was charged Sunday with trafficking methamphetamine after investigators reportedly found several grams of the drug in her room.

Sheriff's deputies wanted to talk to Amanda Marie Canada in connection with an unrelated petty theft case. When they arrived at a home at 2435 NW155th St., Canada was outside. The deputies asked the home's owner if they could search inside, which he allowed.

The officers found numerous items used to manufacture methamphetamine, including used coffee filters, in the room where the woman was staying, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.

They also found five grams of the drug and several hypodermic needles and burnt spoons. Canada reportedly admitted owning the items, according to reports.

She was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of precursors to make meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was being held at the jail Monday afternoon in lieu of a $60,500 bond.

Cash, shrimp taken at K&S Seafood

Someone had a hankering for shrimp early Sunday and didn't let the fact that the seafood store was closed deter them.

According to Ocala Police Department reports, someone used a pipe embedded in a chunk of concrete to break open the front door of K&S Seafood at 1224 W. Silver Springs Blvd. Taken were $30 in petty cash and eight pounds of shrimp, three pounds unpeeled and five pounds peeled.

The shrimp was valued at $36. Damage to the door was estimated at $200, reports state.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000, Crime Line at 369-7001 or Crime Stoppers at 368-7867.

COMMUNITY

Animal Center to shut for a few days

The Marion County Animal Center and the Neuter Commuter will close for quarterly cleaning and maintenance on Wednesday. The Animal Center will reopen Saturday and the Neuter Commuter will resume operation Monday.

Animal Control will continue its regular operations. Residents wishing to report animal-related complaints may call 671-8727.

During the Animal Center's closure, owners of lost pets can view stray animals online, and residents can view animals available for adoption at www.marioncountyfl.org/animalservices.htm.

Friday Forum series begins

A group of local activists have formed a monthly luncheon speaker series to be known as The Friday Forum. The first forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Buffet City, 1512 SW 10th St., Ocala.

The Rev. Bruce Seaman, pastor at Fairfield Presbyterian Church and coordinator of Awake Marion, is the speaker.

Reservations are requested.

For more information, call 873-9970 or email FridayForumofMarionCounty@gmail.com.

Grief recovery weekend planned

We Are Remembered Ministry will hold a grief recovery weekend beginning at 9:30 a.m. April 27 and 28 at Integrity Retreat, 4005 SE County Road 314A, Ocklawaha.

The cost is $25 for one day or $40 for both.

For more information, call 625-4357 or visit http://integrityretreat.com/

Seniors offered tools to fight fraud

The National Association of Triads and the Home Instead Senior Care office that serves Marion County have launched the Protect Seniors from Fraud program, which provides tools at ProtectSeniors FromFraud.com. Included is a criminal target scale to assess how likely a senior is to be the target of a scam.

A free kit also is available by calling the Home Instead Senior Care office at 622-6447.

Letter carriers to collect food May 11

On May 11, letter carriers throughout Marion County will participate in the 21st annual National Association of Letter Carriers National Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger.”

Postal customers are asked to hang a food donation on their mailbox before the letter carrier delivers the mail that day. Collection barrels also will be set up at all post office branches.

<p>POLICE BEAT</p><p><b>Man reports being robbed</b></p><p>A Lake Tropicana man reported he was robbed of $70 as he grilled food with friends on Sunday near Dunnellon.</p><p>The man, 31, said he was in the backyard of his home in the 17700 block of Southwest 43rd Place when a large diesel pickup pulled up just after 7:30 p.m. The victim said a man he knows got out of the truck, hopped a fence and demanded money, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.</p><p>As the victim was counting out five dollars, the other man snatched $70 from his hand and slapped him twice on the head before he hopped back over the fence, got into the truck and left, reports state.</p><p>Investigators have the man's name and address and are searching for him.</p><p>The relationship between the two men was not clear.</p><p><b>Woman charged in meth case</b></p><p>A 28-year-old woman was charged Sunday with trafficking methamphetamine after investigators reportedly found several grams of the drug in her room.</p><p>Sheriff's deputies wanted to talk to Amanda Marie Canada in connection with an unrelated petty theft case. When they arrived at a home at 2435 NW155th St., Canada was outside. The deputies asked the home's owner if they could search inside, which he allowed.</p><p>The officers found numerous items used to manufacture methamphetamine, including used coffee filters, in the room where the woman was staying, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.</p><p>They also found five grams of the drug and several hypodermic needles and burnt spoons. Canada reportedly admitted owning the items, according to reports.</p><p>She was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of precursors to make meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.</p><p>She was being held at the jail Monday afternoon in lieu of a $60,500 bond.</p><p><b>Cash, shrimp taken at K&S Seafood</b></p><p>Someone had a hankering for shrimp early Sunday and didn't let the fact that the seafood store was closed deter them.</p><p>According to Ocala Police Department reports, someone used a pipe embedded in a chunk of concrete to break open the front door of K&S Seafood at 1224 W. Silver Springs Blvd. Taken were $30 in petty cash and eight pounds of shrimp, three pounds unpeeled and five pounds peeled.</p><p>The shrimp was valued at $36. Damage to the door was estimated at $200, reports state.</p><p>Anyone with information is asked to call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000, Crime Line at 369-7001 or Crime Stoppers at 368-7867.</p><p> </p><p>COMMUNITY</p><p><b>Animal Center to shut for a few days</b></p><p>The Marion County Animal Center and the Neuter Commuter will close for quarterly cleaning and maintenance on Wednesday. The Animal Center will reopen Saturday and the Neuter Commuter will resume operation Monday.</p><p>Animal Control will continue its regular operations. Residents wishing to report animal-related complaints may call 671-8727.</p><p>During the Animal Center's closure, owners of lost pets can view stray animals online, and residents can view animals available for adoption at www.marioncountyfl.org/animalservices.htm.</p><p><b>Friday Forum series begins</b></p><p>A group of local activists have formed a monthly luncheon speaker series to be known as The Friday Forum. The first forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Buffet City, 1512 SW 10th St., Ocala.</p><p>The Rev. Bruce Seaman, pastor at Fairfield Presbyterian Church and coordinator of Awake Marion, is the speaker.</p><p>Reservations are requested.</p><p>For more information, call 873-9970 or email FridayForumofMarionCounty@gmail.com.</p><p><b>Grief recovery weekend planned</b></p><p>We Are Remembered Ministry will hold a grief recovery weekend beginning at 9:30 a.m. April 27 and 28 at Integrity Retreat, 4005 SE County Road 314A, Ocklawaha.</p><p>The cost is $25 for one day or $40 for both. </p><p>For more information, call 625-4357 or visit http://integrityretreat.com/</p><p><b>Seniors offered tools to fight fraud</b></p><p>The National Association of Triads and the Home Instead Senior Care office that serves Marion County have launched the Protect Seniors from Fraud program, which provides tools at ProtectSeniors FromFraud.com. Included is a criminal target scale to assess how likely a senior is to be the target of a scam.</p><p>A free kit also is available by calling the Home Instead Senior Care office at 622-6447.</p><p><b>Letter carriers to collect food May 11</b></p><p>On May 11, letter carriers throughout Marion County will participate in the 21st annual National Association of Letter Carriers National Food Drive to “Stamp Out Hunger.”</p><p>Postal customers are asked to hang a food donation on their mailbox before the letter carrier delivers the mail that day. Collection barrels also will be set up at all post office branches.</p><p>Anyone interested in volunteering can call Thomas Curtis at 572-5634.</p><p>CALENDAR </p><p>TODAY</p><p><b>DUNNELLON:</b> Dunnellon City Council, 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 8, City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon. (465-8500 or www.dunnellon.org)</p><p><b>DOG TRAINING:</b> Greater Ocala Dog Club seven week series of free dog show training classes, 7 p.m. Monday, 10205 NW Gainesville Road, Ocala. All dogs must have proof of vaccinations. (854-4814)</p><p><b>T.O.P.S.:</b> Taking Off Pounds Sensibly, 5:15 p.m. Monday, Fort King Presbyterian Church, 13 NE 36th Ave., Ocala. (625-6795)</p><p><b>OCALA TEA PARTY:</b> 7 p.m. Monday, Berean Baptist Church, 4800 SW 20th St., Ocala. (teapartysolutions.com)</p><p><b>TRI-COUNTY TEA PARTY:</b> 6:30 p.m. Monday, American Legion Hall, 699 W Lady Lake Blvd, Lady Lake. (350-6046)</p><p><b>BARBERSHOP:</b> Big Sun Barbershop Chorus, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Ocala West Methodist Church, 9330 SW 105th St., Ocala. (804-7464) </p><p><b>COUNTRY MUSIC:</b> Live country music and jam with John Thomas & Ramblin' Fever Band, 6 p.m. Monday, Oxford Community Center, 4027 Main St. Oxford. $5. (560- 7946)</p><p>TUESDAY</p><p><b>CHAMBER:</b> Belleview/South Marion Chamber of Commerce, 8 a.m. Tuesday, Cal's Place, 11077 SE 66th Terrace, Belleview. (245-2178)</p><p><b>LIONS: Silver Springs Shores Lions Club, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Silver Springs Shoes Community Center, 590 Silver Road, Ocala. (208-8061)</p><p><b>TOASTMASTERS:</b> Dunnellon Toastmasters Club 1176, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dunnellon Chamber of Commerce, 20500 E. Pennsylvania Ave. (489-0959 or visit http://1176.toastmastersclubs.org/)</p><p><b>GOP:</b> Shores GOP, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Silver Spring Shores Presbyterian Church, 574 Silver Road, Ocala. (687-4188)</p><p><b>MAC USERS:</b> Ocala Macintosh User Group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, St. George Anglican Cathedral Parish Hall, 5646 SE 28th St., Ocala. (http://ocalamug.org)</p><p><b>MOVIE:</b> For adults and teens, 1 p.m. Tuesday, Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Road 484, Belleview. (438-2500)</p><p><b>GARDENING:</b> Drought tolerant plants, 10 a.m. Tuesday, UF/IFAS Extension Service, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala. (671-8400)</p><p><b>WOMEN'S CLUBS:</b> The GFWC Woman's Club of Ocala Day Group 11:45 a.m. and Evening Group 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Elks Club, 702 NE 25th Ave., Ocala. $10 (Day 347-3975, evening 351-2708)</p><p><b>ELVIS:</b> Barbecue and Blue Suede Shoes dinner and concert with Billy Lindsey, 5 p.m. Tuesday, Gruff's Tap & Grille, 12084 S. Williams St., Dunnellon. $25. (465-2881)</p><p><b>SHOPPING:</b> 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, The Bridge, 2800 SW 41st St., Ocala. Avon, Scentsy, Selpoda, Thirty One and Tupperware. (873-2036)</p><p><b>STRETCHING:</b> 10 a.m. Tuesday, Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2840)</p><p><b>STITCHING:</b> Therapeutic Stitching Group, 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Stitch Niche, 20782 Walnut St., Dunnellon. (465-8000)</p><p><i></p><p>To submit information for this list, send an e-mail to calendar@starbanner.com or visit www.ocala.com, scroll down and click on EVENTS CALENDAR on the right.</i></p>